Whatcom Community College’s Honors Program gives students the opportunity to explore a topic in greater depth while working with other students and faculty as a member of a learning community. Students will explore the topic from an interdisciplinary perspective, comparing the approaches that researchers take in distinct disciplines. Students who complete the Honors program will have the completion documented on their official transcript at the time a degree is awarded.

Important Changes to the Honors Program

• There is no application required or minimum GPA to participate!
  • The Program is for all students seeking a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and solutions-oriented learning community.
• All students can register for Honors seminars even if they do not wish to complete the Honors Program.
  • Space is limited. Interested students should plan to register for these sections as early as possible.
• Honors seminars are themed versions of regular WCC courses.
  • Most seminars will be 5 credits and students can satisfy degree requirements (e.g., Composition) while completing the Program.
    • Note: depending on the Honors courses offered, there may be prerequisites associated with a particular course.
• To complete the Honors Program, students are encouraged to register for both Spring 2026 Honors seminars.
  • Completion of the Honors Program requires either completion of two Honors seminars OR completion of one Honors seminar and an Honors Learning Contract.
    • For students new to the Honors Program in 2026: if you are unable to take both Honors seminars during Spring 2026, you should plan to take one seminar in Spring 2026. To complete the Program, students will either need to take a second seminar during Fall 2026 or complete an Honors Learning Contract. 
    • For students who started in the Honors Program during 2024-25: please contact Honors Program Coordinator Kirsten Egerstrom for more information.

Spring 2026 Honors Seminars

The theme for 2026 Honors Seminars is Climate Change. WCC is offering two honors seminars during Spring Quarter 2026. Students who are interested in completing the Honors Program are encouraged to register for both seminars.

• PHIL 132: Environmental Ethics with Glen Nesse
  • Spring 2026: MWF, 11:30 AM – 12:55 PM
• ENGL 124: Environmental Literature with James Spaich
  • Spring 2026: MW, 1:00-3:00 PM

Important: these are the only sections of these courses offered for Spring 2026. As long as you register for these courses for Spring, you will be registered for Honors seminars.

Spring 2026 Honors Seminars Final Project

The seminars will conclude with a joint, interdisciplinary project that is solutions oriented. The instructors described their final project as follows:

The collaborative final project for students enrolled in this Honors Seminar will be a composition using a particular medium or mix of mediums (short story, podcast, film, news, story, etc.) that provides a fictional narrative about a moral dilemma that we face (or will face) regarding global climate change . . .

Recognizing the moral dilemma will not be solvable from the armchair, the students will need to create a realistic and ethical solution to the climate challenges present in their creative composition. (Glen and James)

Important: the nature of, and requirements for, the final project may change before the start of Spring Quarter.

Fall 2026 Seminars

Information will be posted soon!